Device for stamping or marking meats.



W. T. GONWAYL DEVICE FOR STAMPING 0R MARKING MEATS. APPLICATION FILED 11110.14, 1911.

1,021,715.- I Patented Mar.26,1912.

INVEN TOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM. T. CONWAY, OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.

DEVICE FOR STAMPING OR MARKING MEATS.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed December 14, 1911.

Serial No. 665,874.

(DEDICATED To THE PUBLIC.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM T. CONWAY, an employee of the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America, residing in the county of St. Louis, State of Missouri, (whose post-office address is. St. Louis, Missouri,) have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Device for Stamping or Marking Meats.

This application is made under the act of March 3, 1883, chapter 143 (22 Stat, 625), and the invention herein described and claimed may be used by. the Government of the United States or any of its ofiicers or employees in the prosecution of work for the Government or by any person in the United States without the payment of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to a device for marking meats.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, inexpensive and durable device which may be satisfactorily employed for marking meats. Under the law, it is required that all meats from slaughtering and meat-packing establishments entering interstate commerce shall bear certain marks showing that such meats have been inspected and passed under Federal supervision. The work of stamping the meat is performed at the establishment where the animals are slaughtered, and the stamp discloses the number of the establishment where the product originated. My' invention is intended particularly for use in this line of work, and the marker can easily be constructed so as to leave the impression of any inspection legend on meats.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of my invention may be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein;

Figure 1 is a face view of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the threaded edge of the disk or cover, and the entire threaded portion of the cup-shaped plate.

Referring to the drawings, A, represents the handle of the marker, having a hole or opening, B, in its bottom.

C, indicates a disk or cover, provided with a shoulder, D, and an integral shank, E, extending upwardly from said shoulder.

The edge of the disk or cover, 0, is screwthreaded, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. -At the bottom of the handle, A, I place a ferrule, F, and provide an opening in the side of said ferrule, and also provide an opening in the side of the handle, A, and an opening through the shank, E. The openingsin said described part are intended for the reception of a screw for securing the handle, A, to the cover, 0.

G represents a cup-shaped plate having a series of holes or perforations, H, in its bottom. The holes, H, are drilled so as to form an inscription. In the holes, H, are placed pins, I, mounted with heads, which pins, when so arranged, constitute the design or inscription desired by the user. The interior of the rim of the plate, G, is screw-' threaded, and the threaded edge of the cover, 0, is adapted to engage the threaded portion of said rim. Upon the adjustment of the cover, C, to the plate, G, the cover, 0, presses against the heads of the pins, I, and retains said pins in a rigid, workable positio-n.

In constructing the device I use preferably wood for the handle, A, brass for the pins, I, and brass for the other parts, but said elements may be made of any other suitable material. i

In practicing my invention, I place the shank, E, in the hole or opening, B, in the bottom of the handle, A, and secure said shank and cover, C, rigidly thereto by means of a screw passing through the openings in the ferrule, F, handle, A, and shank, E. When said parts are so adjusted, the ferrule rests against the shoulder, D, forming an integral part of the cover, C. The pins, I, are placed in the perforations, H, and the plate, G, secured to the cover, C, by means of the threaded edge of said cover engaging the threaded rim of said plate, G. After the parts are so arranged, the device is ready for use and it is only necessary for the operator to place the brass pins, I, in contact with ink and apply the same to means required to be marked. The application of the stamp to the meat in this manner will leave a clear and distinct impression on the product.

Having thus described my invention, I claim.

A stamp or marker consistingof a handle having a hole in its bottom, a ferrule attached to said handle, a disk having a threaded edge, said disk provided with a shoulder and an integral shank, openings in said handle, ferrule and shank for the admission of a screw, a cup-shaped plate having its upper interior portion screw-threaded, a series of holes drilled in said plate in the form of an inscription, pins provided with heads for entering said holes and constituting said inscription, said disk adapted to enter said cup-shaped plate and hold said pins in a fixed operative position by means of the threaded edge of said disk engaging the threaded portion of said plate, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I afiiX my signature in the presence of two subscribed Witnesses.

WILLIAM T. CONlVAY. WVit-nesses JAs. J. BROUGHAM, THOMAS 13. Porn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

